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Seattle History: Northgate Mall

By SEATTLEPI.COM STAFF|

Photo: Seattlepi.com File

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Northgate Mall opened April 21, 1950. Northgate, in North Seattle now and part of unincorporated King County when it opened, was the first suburban mall of its kind in the United States. This photo shows fireworks for the opening weekend of the Bon Marche at Northgate Mall, April 30, 1950. Macy's is now where the Bon Marche was. less

Northgate Mall opened April 21, 1950. Northgate, in North Seattle now and part of unincorporated King County when it opened, was the first suburban mall of its kind in the United States. This photo shows ... more

Photo: Seattlepi.com File

Northgate Mall opened April 21, 1950. Northgate, in North Seattle... Photo-1095872.15725 - seattlepi.com

The caption for the Northgate ground breaking photo read: Starting on the Bon Marche's new 3 million dollar store in Seattle's North End was signaled yesterday by ground breaking ceremony. Taking part, left to ... more

An aerial view of Northgate looking northeast, Dec. 6, 1949. In the foreground is First Avenue Northeast and a tract of homes. The homes there and in the upper left center are now part of the mall. The Bon Marche building, now Macy's, is the largest building pictured here. less

An aerial view of Northgate looking northeast, Dec. 6, 1949. In the foreground is First Avenue Northeast and a tract of homes. The homes there and in the upper left center are now part of the mall. The Bon ... more

The caption for this April 3, 1950 photo read: Scrapers remove mud from the vast parking area adjacent to the Bon Marche, Northgate. Thousands of cubic yards of muddy clay are being carted away so that a firm base can be laid for the asphalt top. Parking will be provided for about 4,000 cars at Northgate, the modern shopping city nearing completion on a 50-acre tract bounded by 1st and 5th Aves. N.E. and E. 103d and 110th Sts. less

The caption for this April 3, 1950 photo read: Scrapers remove mud from the vast parking area adjacent to the Bon Marche, Northgate. Thousands of cubic yards of muddy clay are being carted away so that a firm ... more

The March 1950 photo caption read: North End business men are shown installing new signs throughout the district which point the way to the new Northgate shopping center. Tracy Owen, president of the North City Community Club, rears back and drives a nail, aided by Louis W. Messer, president of the Pinehurst Community Club. He is steadied by Ross E. Donald, manager of the Edmonds branch of the National Bank of Commerce. Holding another sign are Eddie G. Wassell, left, service manager of the Northgate Company, and Harold Bracken, vice president of the Associated Clubs of the North End. Others in the picture are, left to right, Dean Worthington, president of the Bothell State Bank; Dwight Hawley of Ballard Commercial Club, and Arthur W. Bell of Green Lake Commercial Club. [When this photo ran in the Post-Intelligencer, it was altered to make Bell appear closer to the others and to fit the image on the page.] less

The March 1950 photo caption read: North End business men are shown installing new signs throughout the district which point the way to the new Northgate shopping center. Tracy Owen, president of the North City ... more

Photo: Seattlepi.com File

The March 1950 photo caption read: North End business men are shown... Photo-1095626.15725 - seattlepi.com

Construction of Northgate Mall, April 1950. The building at left is now the site of Nordstrom.

Construction of Northgate Mall, April 1950. The building at left is now the site of Nordstrom.

Photo: Seattlepi.com File

Construction of Northgate Mall, April 1950. The building at left is... Photo-1095678.15725 - seattlepi.com

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The July 25, 1950 photo caption read: An automobile emerges from the 1,200-foot Northgate Concourse, opened for business Thursday. Concourse is "main artery" of the shopping center. All deliveries to and from every store will be made through it. Concourse runs from E. 110th St., where this picture was taken, underground to E. 103d St. less

The July 25, 1950 photo caption read: An automobile emerges from the 1,200-foot Northgate Concourse, opened for business Thursday. Concourse is "main artery" of the shopping center. All deliveries to and from ... more

The Nov. 1952 photo caption read: Swung by a giant crane, a 54-foot totem pole carved by Dudley Carter of Bellevue was lifted into place at Northgate Saturday. Pole was corseted with wooden splints to prevent damage from cables. [Marks were made by a P-I photo editor] less

The Nov. 1952 photo caption read: Swung by a giant crane, a 54-foot totem pole carved by Dudley Carter of Bellevue was lifted into place at Northgate Saturday. Pole was corseted with wooden splints to prevent ... more

An undated photo of work on the totem pole at Northgate Mall. Photo-1095634.15725 - seattlepi.com

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Northgate's first Christmas, 1950. Stores were opened one by one throughout 1950 and the entire shopping center was finished before Christmas.

Northgate's first Christmas, 1950. Stores were opened one by one throughout 1950 and the entire shopping center was finished before Christmas.

Photo: Seattlepi.com File

Northgate's first Christmas, 1950. Stores were opened one by... Photo-1095621.15725 - seattlepi.com

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A photo taken from roughly the same spot as the 1950 Northgate Christmas photo. This image was taken July 3, 2011.

A photo taken from roughly the same spot as the 1950 Northgate Christmas photo. This image was taken July 3, 2011.

Photo: Casey McNerthney/seattlepi.com

A photo taken from roughly the same spot as the 1950 Northgate... Photo-1095624.15725 - seattlepi.com

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Northgate in Dec. 1950, years before the mall was covered.

Northgate in Dec. 1950, years before the mall was covered.

Photo: Seattlepi.com File

Northgate in Dec. 1950, years before the mall was covered. Photo-1095623.15725 - seattlepi.com

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The Oct. 12, 1950 photo caption read: An impressive presentation ceremony, pictured above, the banner of the United Nations is being raised on a flagstaff beside that of the Stars and Stripes outside the Bon Marche's Northgate store. less

The Oct. 12, 1950 photo caption read: An impressive presentation ceremony, pictured above, the banner of the United Nations is being raised on a flagstaff beside that of the Stars and Stripes outside the Bon ... more

Northgate Mall had room for more than 5,000 cars in Dec. 1965. Photo-1095650.15725 - seattlepi.com

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Northgate Mall, Dec. 1965.

Northgate Mall, Dec. 1965.

Photo: Seattlepi.com File

Northgate Mall, Dec. 1965. Photo-1095644.15725 - seattlepi.com

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Big Top at the Northgate Mall (pictured in 1968) was part of a local restaurant empire belonging to Walter Clark, an industry giant for decades. Seattle boomers might remember Big Top's circus theme.

Big Top at the Northgate Mall (pictured in 1968) was part of a local restaurant empire belonging to Walter Clark, an industry giant for decades. Seattle boomers might remember Big Top's circus theme.

Photo: Seattle Municipal Archives

Big Top at the Northgate Mall (pictured in 1968) was part of a... Photo-4571136.15725 - seattlepi.com

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A Northgate Mall directory, 1971.

A Northgate Mall directory, 1971.

Photo: Seattlepi.com File

A Northgate Mall directory, 1971. Photo-1095656.15725 - seattlepi.com

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Northgate Mall, 1971

Northgate Mall, 1971

Photo: Seattlepi.com File

Northgate Mall, 1971 Photo-1095655.15725 - seattlepi.com

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Nordstrom at Northgate, 1971.

Nordstrom at Northgate, 1971.

Photo: Seattlepi.com File

Nordstrom at Northgate, 1971. Photo-1095657.15725 - seattlepi.com

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Northgate Mall, 1971. Marks were made that year by a P-I photo editor.

Northgate Mall, 1971. Marks were made that year by a P-I photo editor.

Photo: Seattlepi.com File

Northgate Mall, 1971. Marks were made that year by a P-I photo editor. Photo-1095658.15725 - seattlepi.com

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Northgate Mall, Dec. 1974.

Northgate Mall, Dec. 1974.

Photo: Seattlepi.com File

Northgate Mall, Dec. 1974. Photo-1095659.15725 - seattlepi.com

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On Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2007 Nichole Payne and Daniel Lorenson planted pansies in one of the plaza entrances to Northgate Mall, which that weekend completed a two-year expanison and renovation.
Paul Joseph Brown/Seattle P-I less

On Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2007 Nichole Payne and Daniel Lorenson planted pansies in one of the plaza entrances to Northgate Mall, which that weekend completed a two-year expanison and renovation.
Paul Joseph ... more

The Dec. 30, 1996 photo caption read: Bill Benner of the Ventilation Power Cleaning, Inc. runs his rig that is pumping water from the roof of the Northgate Shopping Mall to reduce pressure on the roof.

The Dec. 30, 1996 photo caption read: Bill Benner of the Ventilation Power Cleaning, Inc. runs his rig that is pumping water from the roof of the Northgate Shopping Mall to reduce pressure on the roof.

Construction on the Northgate Library, park and community center, Sept. 20, 2005.

Construction on the Northgate Library, park and community center, Sept. 20, 2005.

Photo: Seattlepi.com File, SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER

Construction on the Northgate Library, park and community center,... Photo-1095673.15725 - seattlepi.com

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The Azteca at Northgate Mall is neighbors with a Bank of America branch. This photo was taken in Nov. 2006. In the Late 1980s and early 1990s, the Azteca site was an arcade called Fun N Games, and the Bank of America was previously a National Bank of Commerce and a Seafirst. less

The Azteca at Northgate Mall is neighbors with a Bank of America branch. This photo was taken in Nov. 2006. In the Late 1980s and early 1990s, the Azteca site was an arcade called Fun N Games, and the Bank of ... more

Photo: Seattlepi.com File

The Azteca at Northgate Mall is neighbors with a Bank of America... Photo-1095669.15725 - seattlepi.com

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The west plaza entrance to Northgate Mall, between The Ram brew pub at left and Macaroni Grill. Nov. 20, 2007.

The west plaza entrance to Northgate Mall, between The Ram brew pub at left and Macaroni Grill. Nov. 20, 2007.

Photo: Seattlepi.com File

The west plaza entrance to Northgate Mall, between The Ram brew pub... Photo-1095671.15725 - seattlepi.com